JP2010519940A - hairbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

  A hairbrush for loosening a user's hair includes a head and a handle, the head includes an upper part connected to the handle, and further includes a brush bristle support pad including a vibration motor, and the brush further includes an isolator assembly. The isolator assembly includes a first connecting member for connecting to the bristle support pad and a second connecting member for connecting to the upper part of the head.

Description

  Embodiments disclosed herein relate to vibration generators, where the swivel motion is usually for massage or cleaning, but in this case, improves loosening of curly or unbrushed hair Instead of pulsing, brushing and loosening can be accomplished with less effort and less damage to the hair.

  A problem with most conventional vibrating hairbrush devices is the transmission of vibrations through the handle to the user's hand. The hand can function as a significant damping force on the vibrating motion, thereby reducing its effectiveness, and over time, absorption of vibrations by the hand can be unpleasant and uncomfortable for the user. U.S. Pat. No. 2,465,250 discloses a soft cushion 7, 11 in a vibrating hairbrush that provides a floating support for the ends of the brush plate, but is associated with a vibrating actuator and brush bristles. Due to their structural position, they are limited in their practicality, and are therefore also limited in the intended conversion of actuator vibrations to the desired bristle movement.

  There is a need for a vibrating hairbrush that is comfortable for the user's hand and scalp during operation.

  According to aspects described herein, a vibrating hairbrush is provided that is more comfortably used by a user. As used herein, the term “vibration generation” should be understood to include periodic vibrations, and the term “brush” is understood to include embodiments that may instead be described as combs. Should be.

  Accordingly, the present invention is a hair brush for loosening a user's hair comprising a head and a handle, the head comprising an upper part connected to the handle, a brush bristle support pad comprising a vibration motor, and the brush And a hairbrush comprising an isolator assembly, the isolator assembly comprising a first connecting member for connecting to the bristle support pad and a second connecting member for connecting to an upper part of the head. .

  Thus, the isolator assembly provides a mechanical connection between the bristle support pad and the upper part of the head and thus the handle. Preferably, the bristle support pad and the upper part of the head are not connected to each other.

  Therefore, the vibration of the brush as a whole is controlled by the isolator, and by using an independent connecting member, the isolator can attenuate the vibration with respect to the handle without attenuating the vibration with respect to the bristle support pad.

  In a preferred embodiment, the first connecting member is disposed across the second connecting member. By attaching across the connecting member, one can adjust the vibration pattern of the bristle support pad. Adjustment can be achieved by changing the physical properties of the members so that different degrees of vibration are transmitted by different members. Preferably, the first and second connecting members are generally disposed in the same plane, and more preferably the plane is parallel to the overall bristle support surface of the bristle support head. If the bristle support surface is curved, the overall surface of the bristle support pad is the outermost end surface of the pad.

  Preferably, the isolator includes a pair of first connection members disposed on both sides of the isolator.

  Similarly, the isolator may include a pair of second connection members disposed on both sides of the isolator.

  Preferably, the first connecting member is rigidly secured to the bristle support pad, more preferably rigidly secured by screws, adhesive or other such securing means.

  Preferably, the second connecting member includes an arm that is shaped to fit into the notch in the upper head part.

  Preferably, the second connecting member includes a vibration damper. The vibration damper attenuates vibrations caused by the motor and thus reduces the transmission of vibrations from the bristle support pad to the handle. This in turn makes the device more comfortable to use for the user.

  Preferably, the damper includes an elastic part in the member. In one embodiment, the elastic portion is sandwiched between a rigid end piece that connects to the upper part of the handle and a rigid elongated piece that contacts the rest of the isolator.

  Preferably, the second connecting member is disposed in a direction across the entire longitudinal axis of the brush. This allows the designer to adjust the vibration pattern of the bristle support pad. It also further reduces the occurrence of vibrations in the hairbrush handle without reducing pad vibrations.

  Preferably, the second connecting member is sufficiently elastic. This maximizes the damping effect of the vibration and thus reduces the vibration of the handle during use.

  Preferably, the isolator is sufficiently elastic. This increases the efficiency of the isolator in attenuating the oscillatory motion on the handle during use. Preferably, the elastic material comprises an elastomer such as a styrene butadiene block copolymer or a silicone elastomer.

  Preferably, the motor is accommodated in the motor mounting portion, and the isolator is fixedly connected to the motor mounting portion.

  Preferably, the motor drives a drive shaft connected to an eccentric counterweight. The eccentric counterweight causes vibrations in the motor housing as it is rotated about the drive shaft axis of the motor.

  Preferably, the motor is mounted vertically so that the drive shaft rotates about an axis perpendicular to the overall surface of the bristle support pad. A vertically mounted motor allows periodic vibration of the eccentric counterweight in a direction that produces periodic vibration of the bristle support pad in the overall plane of the pad, and therefore the brush is too close to the scalp When held, it reduces discomfort to the user.

  Preferably, the eccentric counterweight is connected to a counterweight mandrel held at one end by a recess in the counterweight and at the other end by the base plate of the bristle support pad. This provides an additional means for moving the motor housing vibration to the bristle support pad since the mandrel is directly connected to the base plate of the pad.

  Preferably, the brush bristle pad is placed in the brush head by a vibration motor and isolator assembly arranged to direct the vibration movement of the motor to movement of the brush bristle pad in a plane generally parallel to the user's scalp. It is supported. As vibration isolation is caused by the movement of the weight from the handle to the brush, the motor and isolator assembly effectively converts the circular vibration movement of the offset weight into an elliptical movement of the brush bristle pad. The elliptical motion has a larger axis in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the user's hair is stretched.

  Preferably, the vibration motor and isolator assembly includes an elastic interface having a first stiffness in the handle axis direction and a second stiffness perpendicular to the handle axis direction, both of which are generally user In a plane parallel to the scalp. The first stiffness is preferably less than the second stiffness so that the generated elliptical motion has a longer elliptical axis in the handle axis direction.

  Another aspect of this embodiment is that the vibratory motion is generally intended to operate in a lower frequency range than most conventional vibratory brushes. Empirical evidence can be caused by brush hair vibrations where high-efficiency loosening operates in the frequency range between 20 and 100 Hz, more preferably between 30 and 65 Hz, and for the most efficient hair loosening From the point of view of user effort that requires pulling the brush through the hair, it has been determined that it is either 42 Hz or 65 Hz. Thus, an improved method of loosening hair has vibrating brush hairs that operate in the frequency range of 20 Hz to 100 Hz and is generally in a plane located parallel to the user's scalp, or for long hair Comprises brushing the hair with a brush arranged to operate in a curvilinear direction in the plane of the user's hair when the hair is extending from the user's scalp. Brushing includes a first long axis movement perpendicular to the direction of the user's sagging or extending hair and a second short axis movement parallel to the direction of the user's sagging or extending hair. And bristles actuation in an oval pattern.

  Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 3 is a top view of one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. It is a front view of FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. It is a top view with the upper cover plate removed. It is the side view fractured | ruptured. 1 is a perspective view generally showing an embodiment in use by brushing a user's hair. FIG. It is a reference figure of an ellipsoid. 3 is a flowchart of a method for operating an embodiment.

  1, 2, and 3, it can be seen that the present embodiment includes a handle portion A and a brush head portion B. In this document, the term “brush” should be understood to include embodiments that may alternatively be described as combs. The handle is ergonomically configured to be easy to use while being held in the user's hand. The longitudinal axis of the handle A is generally along the line CC in FIG. The brush head portion B normally includes a plurality of brush hairs 10 that extend from the bottom wall 12 of the head portion, that is, to engage with the user's hair. The illustrated embodiment shows a somewhat spherically configured bottom wall 12 as one type of embodiment, but other bottom wall structures, such as flat or tubular, are included as other embodiments. Intended to obtain. Although the bristle stiffness can vary from relatively stiff to soft, it is preferred that the bristle be relatively stiff, and the bristle is typically about 100 N / hr when attached to the bristle pad. Cantilever stiffness greater than m.

  As described in more detail herein, the head portion B is intended to vibrate, and such vibratory motion reduces the pattern A so that vibrations are not transferred to the handle and the user's hand. Has been separated from. To avoid misunderstanding, the term “vibration generating motion” should be understood to include periodic vibration or reciprocating motion. Therefore, the upper housing of the brush head provided with the upper wall 14 is arranged at a distance from the handle so as to correspond to the vibrating motion in the region 16 without hitting the handle A and contacting it.

  Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the brush includes a motor 20 that actuates an actuator 22 with an offset or counterweight to the motor shaft 24 so that the weight as the motor rotates the shaft. 22 causes eccentricity with respect to the shaft that causes vibration generating motion of the motor and weight assembly. Such movement generally has a circular momentum in an actuator plane that is essentially parallel to the plane defined by lines CC and DD in FIG. In this document, the term “brush” should be understood to include embodiments that may alternatively be described as combs.

  Aspects of this embodiment include changing the circulatory oscillating motion of the motor and weight into a curvilinear pattern, such as an elliptical motion of the bristle pad in a particular plane of motion. The isolator elastic member 40 is affixed to the motor 20 and also affixed to the brush bristle pad assemblies 10, 12, 14, so that vibrational motion caused by the motor can be transferred to the bristles 10. The motor 20 is received within a cavity 42 in the head portion of the brush bristle pad that is dimensioned to allow for the reception of the motor 20 and the rotational motion of the offset weight 22 that causes the desired vibrational motion. The vibration created by the off-center weight is transmitted to the brush head 14 by a motor and weight assembly that is rigidly connected to the brush head by a rigid connection. The isolator 40 has a notch 52 by tightly receiving the isolator ring protrusion 50 in the round protrusion fitting notch 52 and clamping the round protrusion between the brush head 14 and the upper motor cap 56. This clamping is made possible by moving the head almost independently by clamping the round protrusion inside. The top wall 14 and the cutout 52 are attached to a rigid plastic piece that ultimately supports the bristles 10. The particular construction of the isolator 40 is such that the round protrusion is closely received in the notch 52 and the webbing 60 includes a slot 62 for tight fit reception of the cap notch 64 of the fixed cap 56. Is. Further, the ends of the elastic protrusions 50 and the webbing 60 are also received in the handle cutout 70 so that the isolator 40 effectively separates the vibrating motion of the head portion away from the handle A. As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, therefore, the head assembly is positioned within the handle A since the vibration actuator and motor assembly including the cap 56 is spaced from the inner wall 80 of the handle. Can float on. With the exception of the portion of the elastic ring that is received within the handle notch 70, the ring is affixed within the notch 70 when the upper half 78 of the handle is secured to the lower half 76 of the handle. Other items shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 include a battery chamber 90, a motor wire path 92, an on / off switch 94, and a switch pad 96 (although the device may be corded). A decorative cover 98 in the handle 78 covers the motor cap 56.

  Another aspect of the elastic isolator 40 is that it is configured to convert the circular oscillating motion of the eccentric weight 22 into an elliptical motion in a plane generally parallel to the brush bristle pad. More specifically, it can be seen that the isolator 40 is not supported along the direction of the axis CC (FIG. 1), but is supported along a line perpendicular to the axial direction. The first stiffness is less than the second stiffness. The effect of such a mounting assembly is that the oscillating motion of the motor and weight is greater in the direction along line CC than along line DD (see FIGS. 1 and 8). When the user's hair (see FIG. 7) is almost aligned with the line DD (see FIGS. 1 and 8), the vibration movement of the brush hair 10 is more than along the direction in which the hair is extending, ie It will vibrate efficiently to have a larger range that is perpendicular to the direction than parallel to the direction. This is done by pulling the hair slightly in the direction of its extension in order to better loosen the hair with less effort and less damage to the hair in the process of loosening the hair, and further With the bristles that separate the hairs by pushing and pulling the hairs slightly more, they tend to detangle the twisted or tied hair. A related advantage is that friction between the bristles and the hair, especially static friction, is reduced.

  Referring to FIG. 6, another aspect of this embodiment is that the vibratory motion of the head portion B is typically used to avoid vibrations of the bristle in the scalp that are observed to cause an unpleasant sensation for the user. It has a curved surface perpendicular to the scalp. In the perspective view of FIG. 6, the eccentric weight 22 can clearly be seen how rotation of the motor shaft imparts eccentricity to the motor 20 and thus also to the support member 40 of the isolator. However, the resulting brush is simply because the rotation of the weight 22 is in the actuator plane generally defined by the engagement line 82 between the shells 12, 14 of the upper and lower halves of the head B. The elliptical motion of the bristles 10 is generally in a plane parallel to the actuator plane.

  Referring to FIGS. 7-9, the method of operating the brush of this embodiment for improving hair loosening is at 120 within a desired ellipsoid parallel to the brush bristle pad surface 82 (FIG. 6). Turn on the brush to vibrate the brush hair. The brush is then aligned at 122 in relation to the user's hair, so that the direction in which the hair is stretched is generally aligned with the axial direction DD of the brush head. That is, the main axis of the ellipse is perpendicular to the direction of the hair. Thus, hair brushing along the direction in which the hair is stretched reduces the user's effort to stretch the tangle and minimizes fatigue on the user's hand, making the hair more efficient in loosening the hair. Providing an effect.

  For hair that normally does not sag as shown in FIG. 7, i.e. strong curly hair that may extend considerably outward from the user's scalp, a similar principle is the direction in which the hair extends outward from the scalp instead of falling off the scalp. The user's hair brushing is applied except for pulling along the hair length or stripping off the hair. The present invention is particularly useful for such hair, long hair (ie, beyond the length of the jaw), and dry or damaged hair.

  Although this embodiment has also been described with respect to human hair brushing, the brush can also be used to untangle other things, such as tangled hair made of animal, pet hair, or even other materials that are not hair. Can be used.

  Exemplary embodiments have been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Obviously, variations and alternatives will occur to some persons upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. The exemplary embodiments are intended to be construed to include all such variations and alternatives as long as they occur within the scope of the appended claims or their equivalents.

Claims (8)

  A hairbrush for loosening a user's hair comprising a head and a handle, the head further comprising a brush bristle support pad comprising an upper part connected to the handle and comprising a vibration motor, the brush comprising an isolator assembly A hairbrush further comprising: an isolator assembly comprising a first connecting member for connecting to the bristle support pad and a second connecting member for connecting to the upper part of the head.   The hairbrush according to claim 1, wherein the first connection member is disposed across the second connection member.   The hairbrush according to claim 1, wherein the isolator includes a vibration damper.   The hairbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second connecting member is disposed in a direction across the entire longitudinal axis of the brush.   The hairbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the isolator assembly is sufficiently resilient.   The hairbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the motor is accommodated in the motor mounting portion, and the isolator is fixedly connected to the motor mounting portion.   7. A hairbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the motor drives a drive shaft connected to an eccentric counterweight.   8. The hairbrush according to claim 7, wherein the eccentric counterweight is connected to a counterweight mandrel held at one end by a recess in the counterweight and at the other end by a base plate of the brush bristle support pad.

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